Heater , water heater? Combi boiler?

There is another option not so far mentioned. You fit a diesel heater then have a divert or which all’s heat to go into the van or through a couple of heat exchangers. It heats a tank of water in 10 to 20 minutes and could be retrofitted to existing diesel heaters. Before anyone starts this system does work properly, not something dodged up.

Have a look here, you will also find info on this site as well as elsewhere on the net from users. https://www.bobilvans.co.uk/shop

I have a calorifier fitted for my hot water, the van also has a hydronic water heater that one day I will get to start without the engine running. Kettle or cold strip washes are fine for me, I would sooner conserve water most times but can go for a run to heat the 22 litre tank when I want a hot shower. Each to their own 👍
 
Not the cheapest option, but the best you can evolve too.
Single loop Calorifier. Lots of sizes and the wattage of the electric heating element can be changed. Heated from the engine water circuit, you arrive with a hot take of water.
Water eberspcher to heat calorifier and engine. Switchable. Combined with the engine water circuit can provide reserve or additional heating.
Air eberspacher, very cheap to run on diesel and electric. perfect for background and night heating.
Buying the new generation eberspachers both can be controlled from one controller.
 
SquirrellCook said:
Not the cheapest option, but the best you can evolve too.
Single loop Calorifier. Lots of sizes and the wattage of the electric heating element can be changed. Heated from the engine water circuit, you arrive with a hot take of water.
Water eberspcher to heat calorifier and engine. Switchable. Combined with the engine water circuit can provide reserve or additional heating.
Air eberspacher, very cheap to run on diesel and electric. perfect for background and night heating.
Buying the new generation eberspachers both can be controlled from one controller.
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Exactly what I have except never wired up the 1Kw immersion in my calorifier 👍
 
Nabsim said:
Exactly what I have except never wired up the 1Kw immersion in my calorifier 👍
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I have not done so, but I understand it is fairly simple to swap the element for a lower wattage suitable for a direct battery connection? could be handy?
 
wildebus said:
I have not done so, but I understand it is fairly simple to swap the element for a lower wattage suitable for a direct battery connection? could be handy?
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I was going to fit a 12v element and run off solar, got a 300W unit in a cupboard but the fitting on them is way smaller so didn’t bother. Not so easy to get into work where calorifier is without lifting it up/out. I think I would need a big inverter if I wanted to use it anyway as I doubt my 1Kw genny would appreciate it getting turned on lol
 
Nabsim said:
I was going to fit a 12v element and run off solar, got a 300W unit in a cupboard but the fitting on them is way smaller so didn’t bother. Not so easy to get into work where calorifier is without lifting it up/out. I think I would need a big inverter if I wanted to use it anyway as I doubt my 1Kw genny would appreciate it getting turned on lol
Click to expand...
Well, they are very basic things so a cheap MSW inverter should do the job - around 30 minutes would see a 10L tank nice and hot?
 
I like the surplus solar method of heating a calorifier. It would work even better if you had lithium batteries as no absorption time.
 
Nabsim said:
I was going to fit a 12v element and run off solar, got a 300W unit in a cupboard but the fitting on them is way smaller so didn’t bother. Not so easy to get into work where calorifier is without lifting it up/out. I think I would need a big inverter if I wanted to use it anyway as I doubt my 1Kw genny would appreciate it getting turned on lol
Click to expand...
You can get adapters to go from big hole to smaller sizes.
 
SquirrellCook said:
You can get adapters to go from big hole to smaller sizes.
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Yes I know you can get adaptors it was the access that put me off. Where it is I would have to lift it up, if it didn’t have the heat exchangers fitted to scavenge for heating the van it wouldn’t be so bad but lots of plumbing crammed in a small area. Not even sure if I can wire in the existing immersion as it is. I do have Lifepo4 though so it’s ideal for doing :)
 
I tried one of those motor speed controllers on my immersion - the idea being to drop the power down. Thought it would work on a basic thing like a heating element but nah, no good (can't recall what happened, but it didn't work).
 
Another one for the simple kettle option....and a huge flask which we fill whenever we can. We always tip leftover water from the kettle in it during the day and the water is hot enough for a good wash. Also use the water from the hot water bottle in the morning for washes, it keeps plenty warm enough of left under the covers till needed.... But that is obviously only good in winter :ROFLMAO:
We decided that we wanted less weight from water and more space without a shower.
 
Decided that a truma is the way to go, I just had a rethink as to where I would put it.
I am guessing that people who buy these end up being left with more ducting than they need and also waterpipe.
It's will be cheaper for me to buy 10 metres of ducting but I'll be left with some.
 
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